Sunday, November 22, 2009 — Deanna Barbee shifted gears recently, as she retired on Oct. 1 from her position as director of aquatics at the Stanly County YMCA, one she faithfully held for 33 years.
Barbee’s journey started at the YMCA in 1973, when she was persuaded by her sister-in-law to begin swim classes. This was something significant to Barbee, as she had nearly drowned as a teenager. “The secret to learning to swim is just being consistent,” Barbee said. Having worked with a 77-year old, a stroke victim, and a blind man, Barbee is often reassured that “anyone can learn to swim.”
“I’ve shared many memorable times,” said the Norwood native. She’s called Albemarle home since she and her husband wed 40 years ago. A graduate of South Stanly High School, Barbee has since earned a number of certifications since she taught her first ladies swim class years ago, which at the time, the YMCA had only one pool offered five classes and the youngest you could be to learn how to swim was seven-years-old. This list has since grown to two pools, more than ten classes, including those concerning water fitness and fibromyalgia. A swim club has started, and the minimum learning age is six-months old.
Other programs have also transpired under Barbee’s reign. Area high school swim teams call the YMCA home for their competitions, and nine schools participate in the learn to swim program for second graders. More than 500 students have participated in the latter, which began in 2004.
“I’m most proud that this program gives an opportunity for kids who wouldn’t have the chance to come to the ‘Y’ to do so,” Barbee said.
Having taught some 300 people in lifeguard courses, and more than 1,500 adults and at least 3,000 children in other swim courses, Barbee will still work as a part time instructor and looks forward to “going back where (she) started from.”
“The staff here is my family,” Barbee said of those at the YMCA. “Working at the ‘Y’ has been a privilege…a blessing. I feel like God has directed me to this place.”
Barbee also looks forward to spending more time with her family, which, in addition to her husband, includes her son, daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren.
